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Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives Paperback – October 3, 2017

by Adam J. Kurtz (Author), Grace Bonney (Foreword)

565 ratings

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"Adam J. Kurtz wants you to feel better. About yourself. About the world. About the creative process." -Adweek

Insights and inspiration for anyone who makes art (or anything else) from someone who's been there (and maybe still is).

From the creative mind and heart of designer Adam J. Kurtz comes this upbeat rallying cry for creators of all stripes. Expanding on a series of popular essays, this handwritten and heartfelt book shares wisdom and empathy from one working artist to others in his signature tone: empathetic, vulnerable, inclusive, and conversational. Perforated tear-and-share pages make it easy to display the most crucial reminders or to pass a bit of advice on to someone who needs it.

As wry and cheeky as it is empathic and empowering, this deceptively simple, vibrantly full-color book will be a touchstone for writers, artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone else who wants to be more creative--even when it would be easier to give up and act normal.

The Ultimate BuzzFeed Books Gift Guide: "Pursuing art in all its forms, whether professionally or not, requires so much resilience and faith. Adam J. Kurtz's Things Are What You Make of Them is full of pick-me-ups and reminders that you are more than your self-doubt, and certainly you aren't alone in them."

From the Publisher

Things Are What You Make of Them by Adam Kurtz

Life advice for anyone who makes anything. From the Author of 1 Page at a time & Pick me Up

	1 Page at a Time	Pick Me Up	Things Are What You Make of Them	You Are Here (For Now)

Customer Reviews	812	405	565	252
Price	$10.59	$16.45	$18.00	$17.93
	365 prompts to help readers tap into their creativity by encouraging them to draw, write, list, reflect, and share.	An intimate and engaging journal for anyone who loves to explore ideas, record thoughts and feelings, and capture those fleeting but amazing moments of everyday life.	Insights and inspiration for anyone who makes art (or anything else).	A collection of essays and artwork that explores mental health, identity, handling setbacks, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Funny, wry, straightforward advice" -Adweek

"Pursuing art in all its forms, whether professionally or not, requires so much resilience and faith. Adam J. Kurtz's Things Are What You Make of Them is full of pick-me-ups and reminders that you are more than your self-doubt, and certainly you aren't alone in them. -BuzzFeed

"Serving up optimism and hope" -NYLON

"All of Adam J. Kurtz's words are filled with wit, warmth, wonder and wisdom." -Alanis Morissette

"Advice from someone who's been there" -Teen Vogue

"This brilliant, life-affirming book is chock full of audacious advice to help creative people make sense of rejection, failure, false starts, fame, happiness and collaborations." -Debbie Millman, host of Design Matters podcast

"Kind, generous and empowering" -Cool Hunting

"Highly relatable and will make you laugh, cry and feel less crazy than you think you are. You're actually fine!" -Man Repeller

"A colorful, encouraging companion" -Forbes

"In Things Are What You Make of Them, Kurtz shares mini-essays of how he deals with the intangibles that can keep people stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to move forward. He also confronts the idea of what concepts like happiness and success look like to people in creative or more traditional industries." -Refinery29

"Delivers the big pep talks you need" -HelloGiggles
"The book is divided into 12 color-coded sections, which run the gamut from the practical -- How to Stay Sane When You Work from Home and Working with Friends and Family -- to the existential -- How to Begin Again and How to be Happier. The advice is geared towards creatives, but honestly, these nuggets of wisdom are valuable mood boosters for people in any career path." -Bustle

"This life-affirming book has the feel of a personal diary, with hand-lettered text and heartfelt but practical advice. The perfect handbook for the creative soul in need of a gentle kick-start." -The Advocate

About the Author

Adam J. Kurtz is a designer, artist and author of 1 Page at a Time and Pick Me Up, which have been published in over a dozen languages each. His “very personal” work for clients like Strand Bookstore and Urban Outfitters has been featured in NYLON, PRINT, VICE, BuzzFeed and more.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tarcher
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 3, 2017
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143131516
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143131519
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.27 x 0.53 x 6.36 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #937,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #496 in Popular Psychology Creativity & Genius
- #2,429 in Creativity (Books)
- #12,400 in Motivational Self-Help (Books)
Customer Reviews:
565 ratings

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Adam J. Kurtz

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Adam J. Kurtz (aka "Adam JK") is a designer, artist, and speaker. His books have sold over a million copies in twenty languages, and his offbeat creative work has been featured in Nylon, Adweek, Vice, The New Yorker, and more.

Follow @AdamJK for art and updates!

Customer reviews

565 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book inspirational and meaningful, particularly for creative types, with one noting how every page is meaningful to them. They describe it as a delightful, easy-to-read book filled with wit, and appreciate that the pages tear off into postcard-sized prints. They value the author's honesty and consider it a great gift option.

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Inspiration Book enjoyment Color scheme Readability Humor Page tearability Honesty Gift value

68 customers mention "Inspiration"68 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and motivating, describing it as a delightful collection of encouragement that provides meaningful advice for creative types.

"...always been a fan of Adam's work because it is sarcastic, funny, inspiring but my favorite part is that it's relatable...." Read more

"...It is full of honest, uplifting, sometimes tough-love advice that every creative person can benefit from...." Read more

"...I'm going to get this as a gift for friends. It's heartfelt and fun." Read more

"...tear off into postcard-sized prints that make great gifts and inspiring messages to hang above your work space...." Read more

45 customers mention "Book enjoyment"45 positive0 negative

Customers find the book delightful and amazing, with one customer noting that every page is meaningful to them.

"Fantastic little book!..." Read more

"This is such an amazing, inspiring book. I am not a creative at all and I thoroughly enjoyed it...." Read more

"Love this book. It’s very motivating. Got a couple for coworkers and ended keeping one for myself!" Read more

"Love the book. Bought 2! One for me and my best friend who also needed a pick me up." Read more

24 customers mention "Color scheme"24 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's color scheme, describing it as beautiful and delightfully colorful, with one customer noting it provides a nice introspective look at the artistic process.

"This is a cute, creative, full color, little book packed with great insights while being way more funny and relatable than any traditional self-help..." Read more

"...It's creative, beautiful, incredibly helpful — and makes for a great gift. I preordered 4 copies (Amazon sent me 5 though? Thanks!)..." Read more

"...you in the eye and telling you to pull yourself together but in a colorful, handheld package." Read more

"So cute!! A beautiful little book packed with good advice. I love it." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"18 positive2 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and relatable, with one customer noting its casual, matter-of-fact language.

"...It can be an easy read or a more deep one depending on how you feel at the moment, which is one of my favorite parts...." Read more

"...book packed with great insights while being way more funny and relatable than any traditional self-help book I've ever read...." Read more

"...Even though it is simple it is very comforting to read...." Read more

"...you're not alone in the creative struggle, but the structure of the book is really smart...." Read more

16 customers mention "Humor"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as a witty and light-hearted read. One customer particularly appreciates Alanis' alliteration.

"I have always been a fan of Adam's work because it is sarcastic, funny, inspiring but my favorite part is that it's relatable...." Read more

"...It's witty, honest, and insightful." Read more

"...Quirky and written by and for artists- it is motivating but not too serious. represents all creative minds and hands-not just field of fine art...." Read more

"...always comes from an honest, caring place, and always has a great splash of humor. This book is a great example of that...." Read more

13 customers mention "Page tearability"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate that the pages are perforated and easy to tear out.

"...Would make a lovely gift. Bonus: the pages are perforated so you can easily tear them out, send one to a friend, or pin one in your office." Read more

"This book is delightful. The pages tear off into postcard-sized prints that make great gifts and inspiring messages to hang above your work space...." Read more

"Adam does it again! I love how you can rip the pages out. I've been putting up a few around my house and desk for inspiration. Thanks, Adam!" Read more

"...This book also allows you to tear up the pages and either give them away or display them on a wall, as you'd desire...." Read more

12 customers mention "Honesty"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's honesty, with one noting how it shines through his work, and another mentioning how everything he creates is magical.

"...It's witty, honest, and insightful." Read more

"...Adam for a while now and absolutely love how his honesty shows through every bit of his work...." Read more

"I absolutely love Adam and his creativity...." Read more

"...It is full of honest, uplifting, sometimes tough-love advice that every creative person can benefit from...." Read more

11 customers mention "Gift value"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes for a great gift.

"...The pages tear off into postcard-sized prints that make great gifts and inspiring messages to hang above your work space...." Read more

"Fun, inspiring, easy read - great for gifts." Read more

"Such a great book and a wonderful gift for all my artist friends (and really, those who are not artists too)...." Read more

"...This was the perfect gift for all my artist and entrepreneur friends, it is filled with simple and encouraging truth that I (and they) really..." Read more

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Laia González
Good read
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2025
Verified Purchase

Good book on creative processes

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Samantha Sophia
Essential for creatives, but relatable for EVERYONE!
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have always been a fan of Adam's work because it is sarcastic, funny, inspiring but my favorite part is that it's relatable. He does an excellent job at reaching to his audience and making us feel like we are friends without even personally knowing each other. I have read this book twice since I got it and it's by far, one of my favorite books (& I read A LOT). I believe it to be an essential for creatives, but anyone can relate to it too. I am a photographer & every single word touched home, but my best friend is nowhere near the art side of life (she's a chemist) & she liked it too. This book gives us answers to the typical questions like "How to be happy?" by telling us very straight forward that there is not such a thing as an 100% happy life, but instead happy moments. It can be an easy read or a more deep one depending on how you feel at the moment, which is one of my favorite parts. This book also allows you to tear up the pages and either give them away or display them on a wall, as you'd desire. Lastly, this book makes you want to share it with others (I have already bought a copy to give to all my friends for the holidays).

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Samantha Sophia

Essential for creatives, but relatable for EVERYONE!

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2017
I have always been a fan of Adam's work because it is sarcastic, funny, inspiring but my favorite part is that it's relatable. He does an excellent job at reaching to his audience and making us feel like we are friends without even personally knowing each other. I have read this book twice since I got it and it's by far, one of my favorite books (& I read A LOT). I believe it to be an essential for creatives, but anyone can relate to it too. I am a photographer & every single word touched home, but my best friend is nowhere near the art side of life (she's a chemist) & she liked it too. This book gives us answers to the typical questions like "How to be happy?" by telling us very straight forward that there is not such a thing as an 100% happy life, but instead happy moments. It can be an easy read or a more deep one depending on how you feel at the moment, which is one of my favorite parts. This book also allows you to tear up the pages and either give them away or display them on a wall, as you'd desire. Lastly, this book makes you want to share it with others (I have already bought a copy to give to all my friends for the holidays).

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5 people found this helpful

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Deborah Boschert
good stuff for every stage in the creative process -- including failure and success
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
Such a great book and a wonderful gift for all my artist friends (and really, those who are not artists too). Not only is it full of bite-size helpful advice that makes you feel that you're not alone in the creative struggle, but the structure of the book is really smart. Each section proceeds through the actual creative process including how to start over and how to manage success. It's witty, honest, and insightful.

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2 people found this helpful

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Lady Max
Pocket sized smart advice giving friend!
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
I carry this book with me in my bag every day (have actually thought about getting a second copy so I can keep one each in the two bags I switch back and forth between because when I forget to switch it I always reach for it and feel bereft). It is full of wise and helpful advice, and makes me feel like a smart understanding person who is just a little bit further into their creative life than me is giving me a big hug every time I open it up. I've actually purchased several more copies and given them to friends who now also reference this delightfully colorful little book whenever they are needing a pep talk or pick me up. I LOVE this book. Thank you Adam for sharing such absurdly wonderful advice with us all.

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2 people found this helpful

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Angela
Good item
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
Fast seller communication, we worked it out thank you.

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Cori Dunton
This book will make your life better
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
This was the first book I purchased by this Author and once I got it, I went back and bought 5 more to give as gifts to friends! The ability to support a real-life artist, not a huge company is always amazing and totally worth it! This was the perfect gift for all my artist and entrepreneur friends, it is filled with simple and encouraging truth that I (and they) really resonated with. It's a good little pocket size, great for a coffee table or perfect to pop in your backpack to take on a trip. I definitely recommend! Buy as a gift or keep for yourself. This book might not change your life, but gosh, it will absolutely make it better.

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2 people found this helpful

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C.M. & T.M.
super inspirational, but SUPER tiny
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book and refer to it often, but I just wanted to point out that it's *tiny*, about the size of a small greeting card. So if you are looking to purchase it as a gift or even as a book to include in your stack of art books, be aware of the size. The one great thing about this size, though, is that it's portable. I grab it and throw it in my bag a lot of the time when I know I might be waiting somewhere, just to get a hit of inspiration. It's more fun to flip through than my phone.

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12 people found this helpful

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Lou C. Germain
change and reflect/keep creative vibes going-nothing too terrible, or too important
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
this book is in likeness to a torn out page from a"an idea notebook"compiled on card stock thick pages in a very small book. Quirky and written by and for artists- it is motivating but not too serious. represents all creative minds and hands-not just field of fine art.I am using it as a gift for a rejected hard working creative soul. Not organized in an easy to follow form,but a quick read for a"creative block" time escape.

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Emily Sherriff
Follow your passions!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2018
Verified Purchase

Having been a fan of Adam and his work for the past few years I was so excited for this book. As with all his work it is super colourful and inspiring. I am not in a creative field but I still find his enthusiasm and passion inspiring. I've bought this book for artist friends and they all love it!

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Cliente de Amazon
Inspiración creativa
Reviewed in Mexico on December 24, 2018
Verified Purchase
Soy diseñadora gráfica y fan de Adam, tengo dos de sus libros y me encantan! Creatividad pura!

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Amazon Customer
One of My Favorites!
Reviewed in Canada on February 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
As someone who often runs into periods of creative block, self doubt and overall negativity when it comes to either myself or my work.. this book has been a great tool in fixing that issue or pushing me to find a solution. As someone who is familiar with Kurtz work, the whole book is bang on, definitely some of his best work. I really appreciate the hand written aspects, they allow for a form of relatability to happen between the reader and author, has more of a conversational tone. Its a great book for reminding yourself that you arent the only one who has these moments of self doubt but also a great motivational tool to get that project you've been thinking about started. Kurtz's voice is very distinctive with his use of hand writing and I think its a nice touch to the book as well as the colorful pages. The fact that the pages are perforated so that the reader can pull out their favorite pages is perfect if you find something that really resonates with you and want to see it every day. Overall a very beneficial purchase. If you are looking for a solution to your specific issues and want life handed to you without putting in work, maybe this isnt for you. But if you're genuinely trying to better yourself and your work by putting in the effort, some great tips and motivation to get you started and keep you going!

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Giselle
Definitely Recommeded
Reviewed in India on February 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
A beautiful and perfect read for designers. The tearable pages are the cutest, that can be pinned on a pin board. Definitely recommend.

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Kristina S
Disappointed
Reviewed in Germany on November 11, 2019
Verified Purchase
Very cool book, appreciate the author so much. But the quality of book is soooo bad

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Things Are What You Make of Them: Life Advice for Creatives Paperback – October 3, 2017

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Essential for creatives, but relatable for EVERYONE!

Top reviews from the United States

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Essential for creatives, but relatable for EVERYONE!

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5.0 out of 5 stars Follow your passions!

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiración creativa

5.0 out of 5 stars One of My Favorites!

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Recommeded

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed

Follow your passions!

Inspiración creativa

One of My Favorites!

Definitely Recommeded

Disappointed